Improvement in gymnastic apparatus



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PAUL-M1NNnsorA.

Letters Patent No. 108,401, dated October 18, 1870.

To all whom 'it may conce-rn:

Be it known that I, JOHN SMLTH, of St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, have invented a new and improved G ymnastic Apparatus; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,'and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the salue, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification.

Figure l representsa vertical central section of my improved gymnastic apparatus, taken on thel plane of the line x a, tig. 2.

Figure`2 is a plan or top view ofthe same.

Figure 3 is a detail transverse section, on an enlarged scale, ofthe elliptic spring and fastening.

Figure 4 is an inverted plan view of the support-ing platform.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention has for its object to construct a gymnastic apparatus which is to be operated entirely by the hands, and still to call allthe muscles ofthe body into harmonious action, taking cognizance of the princple that the lingers are the. proper indices of huma-n power, and that any strain put upon the body in excess of what the-fingers can bear is dangerous and injurious.

The invention consists in the application of adjustl able vsin-ing-power for the. hands, and of an elastic support for thc body of the gymnast, all parts being arranged to be adjustable to persons of different power, as hereinafter more fully described. i

A represents a table, of circular or other shape, having the lower ends of the legs B rest in the ends of a metal cross, C, which rests upon the door. The center of the table A has an opening, through which is fitted a`tnbe, I), with a head, a, at the lower end, the said head fitting against the under side ofthe table, while a washer, b, is titted around the tube I) to restupou'the table. Upon this washer rest the ends of a number of tlat steel hars or springs, E E, with their outward points curved upward and eqnidistantffrom each other.

The springs E are locked to the table by means of the nuts c, which are applied to the tube as shown in iig. 1.

F is a. circular platform, of wood, about eighteen inches diameter, and lined on top and bottom with sheet-iron. It has a hole in the center with grooves for the steel springs E to slidein on the under side. This platform rests ou the outer end ofthe steel bars. The hole in the center has beveled edges to enable it to sink around the nnte when the weight comes upon it. Both table land platform are preferably covered with cloth. 0n opposite sides ot' the platform are slotted standards, (fr, G, bolted to the table to act as guides for the arm H, which passes through the slots of said standards. 'lhe lower ends of these slots may be lined with s'mall pieces of rubber to break the jar in letting' the arm H down. This arm H has an iron band, inpassing around the center, with a hook, e, on the under side to receive the center chain Land a Vhook, f, onthe upper side to receive the upper chain J. lhe upper chain-is, 'at its upper end, secured to the center ot' an iron har or handle, L. `The outer ends of the handle L are covered with leather, to make it easy for the hands.

The arm H is divided into a scale of inches from the center toward each end, and is adapted to'receive two slides, g g, which hold chains M M and handles for the side-lift. i

Suspended from the underside of the table, by two small chains, h 71, is a cross-bar, N. Around the centei; of the bar N is fitted a bar, i, which is attached to the loose end ofthe lifting-chaini. lirom the baud -i project downward slotted arms jj, which are, at their lower ends, secured to the lower arm of an elliptic spring,vl). Upon the upper arm, on the spring P,

rests a plate, l, with a slot through the center for the K armsj to slide through.

I he ends of thc plate l a're pivoted to a forked arm, m., that projects from a scale-beam, B. The beam R is pivoted to ears m. on, that project from the cross C.

The outer arm of the beam R is guided in a slotted pla-te S, which projects downward from the table.

lRubber springs 4u may be secured to the inner edges of the arms of the spring I, which meet when a heavy strain comes upon the spring to prevent injury to the saine.

plat-form I1, and applies his hands either to handle L or to the handles ot' the chains M M. The apparatus can be worked in diierent positions, to wit: either by using the handle L entirely in front of the body, or by havingit in rear, or by having one hand in front and the other in rear, the handle passing between the legs, or, finally, by using the 'out-side chains. 0n every plan the apparatus can be regulated to suit the power of the person using it, notI only by means of` applied to the table for supporting the platform F,

substantially as described.;

'3. lhe spring l), suspended with its lower arm from the chain I, while its upper arm is connected with the beam R, as set forth.

4. rIhe cross-bar N, combined with the chain I and spring l), substantially as herein shown and described.

JOHN SMITH.

Witnesses:

JAMES L. Sr naar, J. HAM DAVIDSON.

The .erson usin r the a) aratus stands ,u'on the 

